Sheet Metal & Steel Alloys
Fiber laser sources (1kW–3kW) cut stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum, brass, copper, and titanium with narrow kerf widths and smooth, burr-free edges that eliminate secondary deburring.
Laser Processing Expertise
Applications & Materials
Precision CO2 and Fiber Laser Capabilities for Sheet Metals, Engineering Plastics, Wood, Stone, and Composites.
Industrial Material Engineering
High-Yield Laser Processing for Global Manufacturers
Since 1982, Kern Laser Systems has engineered heavy-duty laser equipment designed for 24/7 continuous industrial production. Whether cutting thick mild steel sheets or high-speed precision raster engraving on organic woods, our US-built CO2 and Fiber platforms deliver high positional repeatability (±0.001") and clean edge finishing straight off the bed.
Acrylic & Polymer Fabrication
Super-pulsed CO2 sources deliver clean flame-polished edges on thick cast and extruded acrylic sheets. Ideal for high-end POP displays, architectural signage, and clear enclosures.
Woodworking & Composites
Fast vector cutting and high-resolution 3D raster engraving on hardwoods, plywoods, MDF, and veneers. Minimal edge charring with controlled pulsing and down-draft fume extraction.
Foam Tool Kits & Packaging
Non-contact cutting of polyethylene, polyurethane, and Kaizen foams. Create custom shadow-boxing tool inserts, protective packaging, and industrial gaskets with sharp 90-degree corners.
Technical Textiles & Fabrics
Synthetic textiles, Kevlar, nylon, and filter cloths feature sealed edges post-cut, preventing fraying. Continuous feeding option via large format bed pass-throughs.
Granite, Marble & Stone Etching
High-contrast, durable photo and lettering etching on polished dark granite, marble, headstones, ceramic tiles, and masonry pavers for architectural and monument applications.
Technical Reference
Material Processing Capabilities & System Selection
Match your specific raw materials to the optimal laser source, assist gas configuration, and standard machine table envelope for optimum cycle times.
| Material Category | Optimal Laser Tech | Power Range | Assist Gas | Maximum Processing Thickness | Recommended Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel | Fiber / Hybrid CO2 | 1kW - 3kW Fiber / 400W+ CO2 | Nitrogen (N2) / Oxygen (O2) | Up to 0.375" (10mm) | FiberCELL / OptiFlex |
| Mild Carbon Steel | Fiber / Hybrid CO2 | 1kW - 3kW Fiber / 250W+ CO2 | Oxygen (O2) / Shop Air | Up to 0.500" (12.7mm) | FiberCELL / OptiFlex |
| Aluminum & Copper | Fiber Laser | 1kW - 3kW Fiber | Nitrogen (N2) / Compressed Air | Up to 0.250" (6.35mm) | FiberCELL |
| Cast / Extruded Acrylic | Super-Pulsed CO2 | 150W - 800W CO2 | Low-Pressure Air Assist | Up to 1.250" (31.75mm) | LaserCELL / OptiFlex |
| Hardwood & MDF | Super-Pulsed CO2 | 150W - 400W CO2 | Air Assist / Down-Draft | Up to 1.000" (25.4mm) | EcoFlex / OptiFlex / Micro |
| PE & PU Tooling Foam | Super-Pulsed CO2 | 150W - 400W CO2 | Clean Air Assist | Up to 4.000" (101.6mm) | OptiFlex / OptiDual |
Engineering Excellence
Why International Fabricators Standardize on Kern
Built completely in Wadena, Minnesota, Kern Laser Systems delivers reliable US engineering backed by factory direct support, continuous parts stock, and factory material sample testing.
In-House CO2 Source Manufacturing
We design and build our own super-pulsed CO2 laser sources with an industry-leading 3-year factory warranty. Internal optics, power monitoring, and tube rebuilding services ensure long operational service life.
Dual-Source Hybrid Gantries
Eliminate machine bottlenecks by combining both a high-power CO2 tube and a precision Fiber laser head on a single gantry system. Move seamlessly between heavy acrylics and sheet metal without secondary setup steps.
K-Vision Registration & KCAM
K-Vision camera registration automatically detects pre-printed registration marks, compensating for material stretch or rotation. Integrated KCAM control software provides automatic nesting and speed optimization.
Application Procurement FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Key technical inquiries regarding material testing, export support, and custom machine configurations.
Kern FiberCELL systems process stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum, brass, copper, and titanium. Hybrid OptiFlex configurations equipped with oxygen/nitrogen assist gas and high-power CO2 sources can also slice through mild and stainless steel sheets up to 0.1875 inches thick.
Yes. Kern manufactures large format beds ranging up to 60 x 120 inches (5 x 10 ft) with standard open-bed access and optional front-to-back pass-through capability for infinite roll or continuous sheet processing.
By combining super-pulsed CO2 laser tube technology with precise pulse frequency controls in KCAM software, the laser beam vaporizes cast and extruded acrylic cleanly, creating crystal-clear polished edges with zero post-processing required.
Our application engineers offer complimentary sample processing. You can ship your specific raw materials directly to our Minnesota factory. We will conduct cut tests, record precise time data, and send the sample back to your technical team for evaluation.
Industrial Consultation & Test Cuts
Request Custom Material Cut Testing
Send your drawings and material specifications to our engineering team in Minnesota for a complimentary turnaround evaluation, cycle time report, and quotation.